Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Canine Distemper Virus is a morbillivirus with high mortality, causing gastrointestinal and respire-tory disease and in some cases neurological affection. The virus is able to infect many species, including all families in the order Carnivora. Big felids are especially susceptible, and the virus has resulted in deadly outbreaks in these species globally, with the outbreak in Serengeti’s lion population in 1994 causing tremendous losses. Domestic dogs have been established to contribute to the transmission to wildlife, but additional sources and meta reservoirs are believed to be involved in the transmission to lions.
The domestic cat is not as susceptible to CDV and is usually subclinically infected. To the author’s knowledge, no studies regarding the prevalence of CDV in domestic cats have been done in Kenya, nor the African continent. The purpose of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence of CDV in domestic cats living in Mararianda in Masai Mara, Kenya. The cats in the area roam free in close contact with dogs and wildlife and have been suspected to transmit other diseases to wild cats, a phenomenon that has been established in studies performed in other countries.
Serum samples were taken from 40 cats in the Mararianda area. The samples were then analysed for CDV antibodies using ELISA-kits performed in the field. The results of the study showed that 38 out of 40 cats were positive for CDV antibodies, resulting in a seroprevalence of 95%. To conclude, CDV is present in the cat population of Mararianda and likely to be highly prevalent, however further studies with more sample materials, identifying the virus itself as well as strain, is needed to draw additional conclusions.